The New Mexico State Senate turned back three attempts Monday (Feb. 21) to attach amendments to rescind the state’s current policy allowing illegal immigrants to obtain driver’s licenses onto a piece of legislation sponsored by a Senate Democrat – but Republicans were able to force a couple floor votes, thus getting Democrats on record regarding an issue that riles a large number of voters across the state.
Senate Republicans tried to add amendments to Senate Bill 9, sponsored by Sen. Peter Wirth (D-Santa Fe), that concerned license requirements for drivers under the age of 18, triggering a vigorous floor debate that took up most of the afternoon.
Sen. Bill Sharer (R-Farmington), Sen. Clint Harden (R-Clovis) and Sen. John Ryan (R-Albuquerque) each tried to add floor amendments that attempted to tack on provisions that would keep illegal immigrants from acquiring New Mexico drivers licenses.
But Democrats prevailed 25-15 in a floor vote that the Sharer amendment was not germane to SB9 — which prompted Sen. Rod Adair (R-Roswell) to say from the floor that “if this amendment is not germane then virtually no amendment is germane.”
Later, Harden’s amendment was brought up — then shot down — and then, Ryan’s amendment met the same fate.
“We know why all these amendments are coming down,” Senate Majority Floor Leader Michael Sanchez (D-Belen) said. “This is about politics and getting people on the record for a vote.”
For all practical purposes, that’s exactly what happened as Harden’s amendment and Ryan’s amendment were each defeated by a 25-14 vote that fell strictly on party lines.
New Mexico is one of just three states (including Utah and Washington) that allow illegal immigrants to obtain driver’s licenses. Supporters say the state’s policy drops the rate of uninsured motorists and allows authorities to track undocumented aliens while critics say the policy attracts more illegal immigrants to the state.
